Arthritis Drugs: Are They Safe

Research is always ongoing into new and better medications for arthritis which is a very good thing. But where is all this leading us?

Of course, we need effective pain medication for arthritis to enable sufferers to live normal lives. But are all these expensive medications controlling the disease or simply masking the symptoms?

Here’s a quick and dirty lowdown on what’s currently available both over the counter (OTC) and on prescription only.

For mild cases of arthritis –

Some milder cases of arthritis never make it into the doctor’s surgery. Indeed, the sufferer might not even be aware that they are suffering from arthritis at all. They may be feeling a few aches and pains which they put down to old age or even the cold damp weather.

That may be all well and good, but even OTC medications can be dangerous if taken over a long period of time. The concept of more is better can also happen if the pain gradually becomes worse. This can lead to serious side effects.

OTC’s medications include aspirin and ibuprofen. These medications can cause intestinal bleeding and kidney damage in large doses. Aspirin also destroys vitamin C in the body leading to lower immunity.

For More Advanced Arthritis-

By this stage, most people have consulted their doctor. Prescription medication at this stage normally consists of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. These do target the pain and inflammation of arthritis symptoms but have a range of side effects including stomach upset, abdominal pain, and ulcers.

People with high blood pressure, those with kidney problems, and especially people who have heart problems are especially at risk with NSAIDs.

Enter the COX-2 inhibitors. These have been designed for people whose stomach problems cannot tolerate the above. Unfortunately, the risks remain for chest pain, heart attack, and stroke victims.

For Advanced Arthritis-

For those suffering extreme pain and swelling the medical profession brings out the heavy artillery – Corticosteroids. These drugs contain man made cortisone and can be injected directly into the affected joints or taken orally.

Long term use of these can produce sleep problems, weight gain, osteoporosis, and loss of immunity. Also, available to those for whom nothing else seems to work are Biologic Response Modifiers (Biologic). Biologic is derived from live sources, plants, and animals and are not manufactured chemically. They are mainly used for sufferers of Rheumatoid Arthritis and are given intravenously or by injection. They can’t be taken in tablet form.

Biologic suppress the immune system which leaves people prone to infections. They are also very expensive and can’t be stored without freezing.

Also, available mainly to Rheumatoid Arthritis sufferers are Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS) These work by stopping the immune system from attacking the joints. DMARDS may take up to three months to reduce symptoms, but they do help to stop joint damage even though they can’t repair any previous damage.

Although these drugs are a boon to many, they work mainly at masking the symptoms of arthritis and can’t reverse the damage already caused. Most people think this is impossible, it isn’t!

Natural treatments for arthritis do exist and can significantly stop some cases of arthritis, relieve pain and inflammation, and in some cases, reverse joint damage.

Definitely worth a try!

The post Arthritis Drugs: Are They Safe appeared first on Dosor Haelth and Lifestyle.



from WordPress https://ift.tt/3bZFSJ8
via IFTTT

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What You Should Know About Hepatitis C

Image
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common, chronic blood-borne infection in the United States, with nearly 4 million Americans (or 2% of the population) infected. The hepatitis C virus can result in a swelling of the liver known as hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is slightly more common among men than women, and while it affects people of all ages, it is most commonly found among those aged 20-39. Hepatitis C infects the liver, which removes waste products and worn-out cells from the blood. If untreated, hepatitis C can lead to scarring of the liver (known as cirrhosis), cancer of the liver, and, in some cases, even death. The hepatitis C virus is spread through contaminated blood. Hepatitis C is most commonly spread through intravenous drug use, as users often share needles that are contaminated with the virus. People who had blood transfusions before 1990, when screening blood for HCV began, are also at risk. Tattooing and body piercing may also transmit hepatitis C if dye or needles c...
Read more

Why the Key to Impotence May All Be in Your Head

Image
Stress has become an inevitable consequence of modern life, and we are subjected to increasing amounts on a daily basis. The term stress was originally coined and defined by Hans Selye in 1936 as “the non-specific response of the body to any demand for change.” This means that we are all subjected to stress, but its effects on our bodies differ greatly from person to person, largely dependent on the gravity of and how we handle the stressful situation. Selye determined that there were two kinds of stressors, positive and negative. Positive stressors, or eustress, are situations that are perceived to be happy or good, such as weddings, childbirth, or big family holidays. Negative stressors, or distress, are situations that are traumatizing or unhappy, such as the death of a loved one or an accident. But whether the situation is positive or negative, this rate of wear and tear we subject ourselves to eventually takes its toll on our bodies, and how we deal with the stress is important. ...
Read more

Sciatica: Symptoms And A Must-Try Remedy

Image
Many people attempt to alleviate their sciatic pain with medications which provide just momentary outcome. We also must state that when it involves sciatica relief, plenty of professionals advise workout and specific yoga stretches as the only way to treat this back issue. But, throughout this post, you’ll find out the method to prepare a homemade treatment that will treat your sciatic nerve and alleviate your discomfort with success. In case you aren’t sure if your signs show sciatica, here’s a list of the foremost common sciatica symptoms. Symptoms of sciatica Pain that begins in the lower back or one side of the hip, and radiates to the butts and leg(s) Tingling in the leg(s) The discomfort intensifies as you sit Weakness, numbness, or problem moving the foot or leg Trouble moving and standing caused by stabbing discomfort sensation Continuous buttock discomfort Recipe for sciatica and Pain in the back Remedy Ingredients: 4 cloves of garlic 200 ml. Milk Honey (to t...
Read more